Unique Summer Programs by GOD USA
1. Atlanta Namadwaar – Krishna’s Leela-Land Summer Camp
(Report by Youth Volunteer Sriram Iyer)
The warm embrace of summer often brings with it the promise of adventure, new friendships, and boundless energy. For a group of children aged 5-13 however, this particular summer held a different kind of promise: an immersive journey into the heart of Hindu spirituality at a specialized summer camp. From the moment the first kids arrived, a cohort of excited, curious faces began to form, and it was clear that this camp would be no ordinary occurrence.
The camp, nestled amidst beautiful trees and bathed in the gentle morning sun of Atlanta Namadwaar in Cumming, was a vibrant hub of activity. Each day unfolded with a carefully curated blend of ancient wisdom and kid-friendly engagement. Mornings began with collective prayers, and yoga, and melodious bhajans and simple chants resonated with the innocence of young voices. The counselors, a mix of dedicated youth volunteers and experienced teachers, patiently explained the meaning behind each prayer, connecting abstract concepts to relatable experiences. For the younger campers, this involved stories of brave deities or the simple joy of sharing; for the older ones, discussions revolved around the principles of Intelligent Living and
the very beautiful Krishna Leelas.
Beyond the spiritual foundations, the camp embraced a holistic approach. Yoga sessions, adapted for various age groups, introduced the children to gentle postures and breathing exercises, fostering a sense of calm and body awareness amid their youthful livelihood. Art and craft sessions saw little hands meticulously drawing Krishna, or crafting miniature clay Kaliyanarthanam, transforming imagination into tangible, personal creations. Storytelling was a highlight, with captivating narratives from Srimad Bhagavatam brought to life through expressive voices and dramatic gestures, teaching lessons of righteousness, courage, and devotion without
ever feeling bored. Perhaps the most profound aspect of the camp was the sense of belonging it fostered. Children from diverse backgrounds, some with strong familial ties to Hinduism and others relatively new to the beautiful world of Sanatana Dharma, found common ground in shared experiences and a supportive environment. Friendships blossomed over shared stories of Krishna’s mischief or Parasurama’s valor, and the older campers often took the younger ones under their wing,
embodying the spirit of familial care. They learned not just about Hinduism, but to experience it, internalizing its values through practice and personal connection.
As the final day arrived, marked by a farewell ceremony filled with song and shared reflections, there was a palpable sense of transformation. The children, initially perhaps just curious, now carried a deeper understanding of their heritage, a blossoming sense of spiritual awareness, and a host of cherished memories. Krishna’s Leela-land had not merely filled their summer days; it had enriched their young souls, leaving an indelible mark of peace, community, and ancient wisdom that would undoubtedly continue to unfold long after the last kid had left.
2. Houston Namadwaar – Krishna’s Leela-Land Summer Camp
GOD Houston conducted a fantastic week-long fun summer camp, also themed as Krishna’s Leela-land, at Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa Perumal Temple/Namadwaar Houston. 22 kids in the age group 5-12 participated in the camp, including three American children for whom it was their first introduction to Hindu dharma and Sri Krishna leelas.
Every morning children chanted the Mahamantra and learned to do it as Mahamantra
meditation. Over the course of the week, they also learned about who Krishna is, where He is, how we can connect with Him, and how we can remember Him. They also learned a little about how a prayer can be done for it to be most effective.
Activities at the camp included:
– Story-telling sessions where the children listened to numerous stories of Krishna leelas and played games based on the stories
– Learning to sing two English Madhurageethams of Sri Swamiji’s – “Where are you Krishna?” and “O My Parrot”
– A creative writing session where they first did creative thinking, listening and writing exercises, and then wrote a story based on their own creative imagination of a Krishna leela, while putting themselves into the story. At the end of the camp, all their stories were compiled and published as a short story collection called “What if I was in Krishna’s story…”
– Canvas painting, clay modeling, bracelet-making
– A fun outdoor cricket workshop
– Special Yoga session
– A fun field trip day with a visit to Houston’s state-of-the-art Eternal Gandhi Museum followed by a picnic lunch and water play at a splash pad park.
– An Ayurveda session by a Vaidya from Vande Wellness, a local Ayurvedic services center,
which introduced the kids to the health benefits of everyday spices
– An enjoyable Culinary Arts session where the kids assembled various dishes in groups and totally enjoyed making as well as eating them
On the final day of camp, all the parents came by to taste their children’s culinary creations, play a Krishna Leela quiz against the kids (and lose to them!), and listen to each of their children share about various activities they did at the camp and also narrate various Krishna leelas.
Several volunteers including GOD volunteers, high school youth, and many community
members with special skills and interests, came together to make this camp a great success.
See our Facebook album for more pictures from the camp:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=godhouston&set=a.1094909766001383
3. Nationwide Online PURANAVA Heritage Sessions
G.O.D. USA conducted a 4-week nationwide online summer session from Jun 9 – Jul 2, 2025, inviting children to explore the timeless treasures of India through three engaging themes:
* Art from the Heart – Traditional Indian Art Sessions
* It Happened This Way – Storytelling Sessions from the Ramayana
* Traditional Treasures – Explorations of Ancient Indian STEM, Architecture, and Classical Knowledge
Art from the Heart introduced children to a vibrant mix of Indian artistic traditions. They created a wall hanging inspired by Rangoli designs, learned the intricate patterns of Warli tribal art, and engaged in a hands-on craft activity by making their own model of a mridangam, a traditional Indian percussion instrument.
Over the past few weeks, our storytelling series “It Happened This Way: Ramayana” captivated young minds with some of the most beloved episodes from the epic. From the transformation of Sage Valmiki to the birth of Lord Rama and his brothers, and the thrilling adventures with Sage Vishwamitra—including the defeat of Tataka—each session encouraged curiosity and moral reflection. Children especially looked forward to ending each session with lively, interactive Kahoot quizzes.
In Traditional Treasures, participants explored ancient Indian contributions to STEM, focusing on early mathematical systems and encoding methods such as the Katapayadi system. They also learned about traditional Indian calendar systems and traced the evolution of temple architecture, gaining a deeper appreciation for India’s rich scientific and cultural heritage.
These riveting sessions were conducted for kids from all around the US by volunteers from the California Bay Area GOD chapter.
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Click here to see all articles in July 2025 issue:
https://godivinity.org/newsletters/nama-dwaar-newsletter-july-2025/
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